Despite statistics to prove that there was a slowdown in the economy of the country, the professor was ___________ about it.

The blank needs a phrase meaning refusing to accept or acknowledge clear evidence.

Option 1 -> in affirmation -> means agreeing or confirming something, opposite of what's needed.

Option 2 -> in denial -> means refusing to accept or acknowledge obvious facts or reality.

Option 3 -> in protest -> means objecting or expressing disagreement, but not ignoring evidence.

Option 4 -> in shock -> means being surprised or stunned, not refusing to accept facts.

When someone is in denial, they refuse to accept an unpleasant truth even when the evidence is staring them right in the face. It's like wearing mental blinders - they simply won't acknowledge what's clearly happening around them, often as a psychological defense mechanism.